Lions safety Kerby Joseph has been out of sight at training camp, and it turns out there’s more to it than just his knee rehab. Head Coach Dan Campbell dropped a bombshell Tuesday morning: Joseph is dealing with a personal issue. Campbell kept the details private, which is fair enough, but this is a curveball nobody saw coming as Week 1 rapidly approaches.
Week 1 Is Looking Dicey for Joseph and Branch
Here’s the deal: Joseph’s rehab for his knee is actually going “very well,” according to Campbell. That’s a relief, no doubt. However, the personal issue adds another layer to his absence. Campbell still doesn’t expect Joseph to be ready to suit up for Week 1, and it sounds like he’s on the same timeline as fellow safety Brian Branch, who’s recovering from an Achilles injury. Branch is also “doing well,” but don’t count on either of them hitting the field for the season opener. Campbell even said, “I still see him on the (Brian) Branch plan, if that makes sense.” So, yeah, we’re talking about these guys returning “on down the road” after the season has already started. What a gut punch right before the real action kicks off.
Tough Calls Coming for the Lions Front Office
With both Joseph and Branch sidelined through training camp, the Lions have been running Chuck Clark and Avonte Maddox with the first-team reps, and they’ve been solid. Clark, a nine-year veteran, has “particularly impressed” the coaches, and Maddox has really stepped up, showing “significant growth” since moving to the position full-time last year. Campbell himself said last week that “Maddox has grown a ton just in a year at that position for us.” He added that “he and Chuck back there… work pretty good together, and they communicate, and they’re both pretty savvy guys.” That’s good news for now, but it sets up a massive decision for the Lions at roster cutdowns. Do they keep Joseph and Branch on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list? That would mean missing the first four games but freeing up crucial roster spots. Plus, thanks to a new NFL rule, they could return to practice after two games. Or do they take them off PUP, gobbling up valuable roster spots even though neither seems ready for Week 1? Man, that’s a brutal choice the Lions have to make very soon.
It’s a tough spot for the Lions, trying to balance player health, personal issues, and roster flexibility. Keeping an eye on what happens with Joseph and Branch at those cutdowns will tell us a lot about how prepared this secondary will be to start the season. The clock is ticking!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pride of Detroit.
Leave a Reply